dtaylor86

LBJ was a strange one.

Do all movies have to say something? This could have been a very different movie if we had examined these events rather than just floated through them. But this is not that movie, and Forrest bring "different" is the excuse for him to be oblivious to these things.

We have the excuse of Forrest not understanding the events he experiences. In some was I love this. I love that he just floats through history. But as the host mention, this could have been a very different movie if they explored these events a bit more.

I too have very mixed feelings on this movie. I absolutely get caught up in it every time I watch it. As a movie, it is a wonderful trip through the past few decades (at the time of filming). What I have really thought about the last few years is how utterly messed up of a life Jenny has and how she keeps popping into Forrest's life only when it suits her. Now I say all of this with the greatest of love for the character and people who may suffer as she did. Jenny was severely traumatized as a child but there is a certain point where she needs to take responsibility for her actions. Now I love Robin Wright and how she portrays Jenny. There is a general sweetness that her life of abuse can not kill. The writers and director of the film are able to show a very damaged woman without dealing on it too much. This could be a very different film in many ways but we follow Forrest's perspective as he is generally oblivious to this stuff and Forrest remain devoted to Jenny. Several things about Jenny bug me watching this film as an adult: 1- She has sexual relations with a mentally handicapped (not sure the current P.C. term) man. Maybe once as a kid, but she repeatedly does this throughout the movie. That scene of Jenny and Forrest in college where she makes him cum is gross and her poor roommate is listening to it all. Gross in so many ways. Even Forrest when he proposes to Jenny knows things are odd 2- She uses Forrest whenever she feels it is comfortable for her and then leaves, never opening his mail or even trying to keep in contact. She never even bothers to say goodbye most of the time. 3- She has a child by Forrest and never lets him know. He is maybe 5 years old before Jenny writes to Forrest about Forrest Jr. And the assumption is she only does this because Jenny is sick and has been given a terminal diagnosis. The general assumption is that Jenny has AIDS and I get the feeling she only is looking for someone to take care of her son. If she had not been sick, would Jenny have ever contacted Forrest about Forrest Jr? 4- I sure as hell hope Jenny and Forrest never have sex again, (once again assuming she has AIDS). IF so, Forrest may also be a carrier and a 5-year check-in might show Forrest Sr. is now dead as well and Forrest Jr. is now in Foster Care. 5- Forrest Sr. has parental rights to Forrest Jr? The dude can hardly take care of himself. And yet, in all my complaining I still enjoy this film.